Hurricane Idalia storms across Cuba as DeSantis expands state of emergency for Florida

Hurricane Idalia crossed the western tip of Cuba Monday morning at about 80 mph as it barreled its way toward the west coast of Florida.

Gov. Ron DeSantis expanded a state of emergency to cover more counties as the Sunshine State prepares for the storm to make landfall Wednesday.

Thirty three of Florida's 67 countries were previously covered under the governor’s executive order, but the new order issued Monday includes an additional 13 counties, covering 46 in total.

The storm is expected to hit as high as 150 mph winds, causing a 12-foot storm surge.

A 7 a.m. NOAA advisory said Tuesday the hurricane is “expected to rapidly intensify into an extremely dangerous major hurricane” before making landfall in Florida. 

The Florida governor, who is also running in second place in the Republican presidential primary took a break from the campaign trail to focus exclusively on storm preparations.

He warned the Sunshine State Monday that meteorologists believed Idalia would develop into at least a Category 3 hurricane once it makes landfall, according to a CBS News report.

The National Weather Service warned that a Category 3 hurricane has the capability of causing “devastating damage” and could knock out trees, utilities, and residential homes.

The governor used his executive authority to activate 5,500 Florida National Guardsmen, to help Floridians endure to the storm.

Public schools on Florida’s west coast have also closed down while the state takes measures to keep supply chains flowing so people have food and water.

On Monday, President Biden tweeted that he spoke with DeSantis “to inform him that we've approved the Emergency Declaration for Florida as they prepare for Hurricane Idalia,” and ensure the governor that, “Florida has my full support as they prepare for Idalia and its aftermath.”